With the organization nearing its 50th year with an apparent willingness to shake things up on the jersey front, what changes, if any, would you like to see the Canucks make to their home, away, and third jerseys?

Last week I asked: What changes or additional content would you like to see at CanucksArmy?

Goon:

The biggest thing I’d like to see from CanucksArmy this year compared to last year is consistency and communication. As the season went on, a number of post-game reports were missed, and we all know about the fiasco that the mid-term prospects report became. I understand that it’s a hobby for many of the writers, and that sometimes life gets in the way, but if life does get in the way, a simple “This series has been delayed, here’s the new schedule” post, or “sorry, no post-game report tonight, the scheduled writer is ill” update goes a long way. A lot of people like the post-game reports because it gives them a place to talk in the comments about the game and share and compare their thoughts – if a writer’s going to miss a post-game, putting up a “sorry no full report due to illness, here’s a box score” post still gives people a place to talk about the game.

Steg:

I expect many people reading the blog are very well versed in the different metrics used in analytics, but I would find it helpful if there were a glossary on the site (somewhere unobtrusive) that gave a 101 on the common metrics used for those of us who’s memory needs jogging from time to time.

myshkin:

how about dumbing down some of the analytics? there have many good articles where i’ve given up half way through because the analytics were getting tough to follow. or maybe have a sidebar glossary for the terms and abbreviations.

kermit:

I come to this site to read the comments as much as I read the articles. I look forward to Mondays because the mailbag comment section often becomes something of a forum. The trolls I don’t like. Too many vitriolic posts can spoil the mood for the whole site. When I first joined I told myself I would only cheer, and never trash other people’s comments, but some of them were so full of inappropriate hate that I gave up on that idea. A moderator would be great.

liqueur de fenetres:

Since this is an analytics blog, when hitting “port comment” force users to complete a Captcha that contains a basic math problem. This will go a long way to cleaning up the comments section too.

apr:

A lot has already been said, but in case I missed I would also like to see:

1) Writer bios, twitter feeds, or links to their other work in different outlets (ie the Athletic, Sportsnet, TSN, etc..) on the main page.
2) Direct links to Canucks stats, NHL stats/standings, doesn’t matter if its Sportsnet, TSN, Espn – it would be great to have a one stop shopping site
3) A general message board on the side to discuss topics, ask questions, promote social gatherings, etc that is out of the scope of the write-up

Great contact, especially for a free site. The writing, in general, has been quite good. Controversy is good, but beating dead horses like Corrado, Guddy, and Sutter was getting super old. All in all, this site is my number one source for Canucks content – so keep up the great work.

19 Comments |

Let’s face it, the Canucks logos have been a mess. They have used five completely different logos in their history (rink, giant V, flying skate, orca, and lumberjack) and two completely different colour schemes (white, green, blue and yellow, red, black). And with the exception of Johnny Canuck, their logos have no connection to their name.

No more radical changes. Their current logo isn’t bad looking, but the “splash” where the C turns into a whale is overly complicated. Simplify that bit — perhaps getting rid of that weird jagged line in the C — and then keep to it.

It is a bit of a sad commentary when the team tries for years to find an identity that resonates with the city, the region and the province. Also like the city itself which is known (over the last decade) as a place to sell your property and leave town a millionaire. Compare Vancouver`s identity to Seattle (The Emerald City, The Seahawks) or even Edmonton which at least understands it`s identity rises or falls with the price of oil – no illusions there. Then there`s Toronto which likes to think it`s Canada`s version of New York City as in `world class – check out our murder rate`.

So what defines Vancouver as a community that really likes its hockey? The ocean, the beaches, the forest, the mountains, the Canucks, the Orcas, Johnny Canuck. Could it be the owners of the team are the real problem with the identity of the team going back to the Canucks first owner who ended up in jail all the way to McCaw and Orca Bay? The name, the crest, the colours – Is it really that difficult to figure out?

Stick in rink and Flying V are ridiculous even just to look at.
I don’t mind the skate but it says/inspires nothing in particular.
I dislike Messier wearing it and the fact that Orca Bay inspired it as a namesake but it represents Vancouver more than a hockey stick or skate.
Johnny Canuck is the historic name yet it is a footnote and even absent from a simple poll on what fans want.
The various owners attempted to create symbolic icons that look strange yet the historic one is the best of them all.

Spaghetti plate is nostalgic for me, the lumberjack looks good too, stick in the rink is simplistic, and that’s alright, but I think the orca is where its at. It identifies with a cool predatory beast on the coast, the blue and green colors do too, and has a West Coast aboriginal art vibe, an art form pack with symbolism. We should just stick with that.

There is a difference between having a design created by a person of settler origin with input by First Nations peoples vs. having a design that is 100% First Nations. The orca resembles First Nations style with a cursory glance but if you look at it with a little bit of knowledge about coastal art, you’ll start to recognize that it doesn’t have any of the key elements (e.g. ovoids, filled space, etc.). If you read the first few chapters of “Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast” by Hillary Stewart and look for each component, you should start to recognize and appreciate the nuance and detail in each piece of First Nations art (it’s a ubiquitous book and it can easily be read in an hour or two). So although it “looks” like it’s coastal First Nations art, it actually isn’t, not even close, and wasn’t created by a First Nations person (though I recognize Brent Lynch is a reknown local artist, which is fantastic).

But in the context of Canadian indigenous history, First Nations artists should have space reserved for them now to promote their art, not allowing settler interpretations to dominate public perception. Before people jump down my throat, I’m all for cross-cultural re-interpretations, that’s how culture evolves. But that generalization is not in the Canadian context of residential schools, reserves, the Indian Act, disease-infested blankets, the Sixties Scoop, and all of the other Federal Government attempts to eradicate Inuit, First Nations, and Meti people (in particular, targeting children because the adults could actually fight back).

The Canucks should allow a local First Nations artist redesign the logo (as suggested by another commenter, Gino’s Third Cousin [I hope I remembered your name correctly]). Not only would the logo look sleeker and more aggressive, it would strengthen the Canucks ties to the local community. And it gives the Aquilinis a good reason to sell more jerseys.

Yes…your memory serves correct. I am not even attached to keeping it as the whale. I grew up with the spaghetti plate skate and that’s the apparrell I wear if I make it to a home game. I agree that if they are going to go with a Northwest Coast or Coast Salish style it would be a much more powerful statement to commission an artist who has an understanding of the forms. Aesthetically it would also top the current whale by a large margin.

I think people get a little bit too caught up with jerseys. NBA, NFL, and MLB often have several designs as one offs here and there. I don’t think its a big deal if Canadian teams wear a Remembrance day jersey, an original jersey, a mental health or cancer awareness jersey and auction them off to worthwhile charities. Its no big deal. Just keep the regular jerseys in the playoffs.

Get rid of the dopey “VANCOUVER” on the front of the jersey. No other team has their city name spelled out in bold on the chest. Other than that, leave it alone – the orca in this colour scheme is attractive, fits the city, and this team has had too many damn jersey changes over the years.